Beginner SAN help.

[Chris Scotto]

We have an MSA SAN switch 2/8. Looking at the name server I see a Device port WWN and a Device Node WWN. What is the difference between a Device node WWN and a Device Port WWN?

On the fiber card itself, the first 14 hex #'s are the same for each port except the last 2 digits which are 72 and 73.

The Device Node WWN has the same 14 hex #'s as the fiber card except it has a 70 as the last 2. Who is that? Is that the server itself?

Thanks

[The Spartan]

1. What is the difference between a Device node WWN and a Device Port WWN?
A SAN device would have a node address - hence node WWN. Now this node or device has ports which have a unique address which is built on the node address.
Example -Your computer may have a node address as WORLD, while the ethernet , USB and other ports have addresses as WORLD1, WORLD2 and so on.

WWN is function of the HBA in use. If you change the HBA, would WWN change - yes.

With this idea in perspective may be other answers should fall in place

[Chris Scotto]

It's a lot clearer now. Thank you

[Steven Clementi]

Just another example...

You Card has a NODE address... xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xx70

Each port on the adaptor has a PORT address... xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xx72 (or 73)

The CARD is the "Device Node" in this case, not the server. The server really does not have anything since it is generically not capable of a fibre connection without an additional card.

Another example would be the EVA.

The EVA has a WWNN or 5000:1FE1:5xxx:xxx0.

The ports on the EVA (assuming an EVA4000 or 6000) have WWPN's of:

5000:1FE1:5xxx:xxx8
5000:1FE1:5xxx:xxx9
5000:1FE1:5xxx:xxxC
5000:1FE1:5xxx:xxxD


Steven